The Welsh Government has published guidance on which roads local authorities might be exempt from the national 20mph limit on restricted roads.
Officials said the new guidance for highway authorities on Setting 30mph speed limits on restricted roads had been co-developed with highways authorities, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), and the County Surveyor’s Society for Wales.
This followed a ‘National Listening Programme’ led by Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for North Wales and transport.
Highway authorities can start to apply the new framework from September ‘to assess speed limits on roads where a change is considered appropriate’.
The Welsh Government said the numbers of roads reviewed is expected to vary considerably depending on the volume of feedback received by each highway authority.
It added that the guidance provides a framework to support highways authorities to make the right decisions for local roads – particularly when those calls are finely balanced.
‘It prioritises 20mph limits where pedestrians and cyclists frequently mix with vehicles unless strong evidence supports that higher speeds are safe,’ officials said.
Mr Skates said: ‘The recent collisions data for Wales and the reduction in casualties was encouraging. We have still got a way to go but it shows things are moving in the right direction.
‘By working together and supporting highways authorities to make changes where it is right to do so, I believe we can continue to make 20mph a real success story for Wales.’
Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE, leader of WLGA and spokesperson on transport said: ‘We welcome the way the cabinet secretary has engaged with councils to review the original guidance and enable councils to relook at some sections of strategic routes, including bus routes.
‘These are not easy decisions for councils and safety remains our priority. There will need to be a high level of confidence that, if and where the limit is raised back to 30mph, it will not result in the very risks the policy was designed to mitigate.’
Aaron Hill, director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru, said operators have identified more than 50 routes across Wales where roads could be safely returned to 30mph.
He said: ‘Bus operators across Wales will be pleased to see the Welsh Government has recognised the negative impact its 20mph policy has made on bus speeds across the country.
‘Ultimately, this new guidance will result in a small number of speed limit changes, and only go some of the way towards addressing the concerns of bus passengers, who want faster - not slower – journeys.’
The Welsh Government has made an additional £5m available this financial year for councils to make speed limit changes in line with the new guidance.
